John Hansen: “Mr. Chairman, after looking at this, it appears to me the President has to consult with the governor of the affected…”

“Mr. Chairman, after looking at this, it appears to me the President has to consult with the governor of the affected State at least 60 days prior to issuing a proclamation unless the President finds delay would jeopardize the value of such monument being established. As Members know here, I will be doing a manager's amendment which I think, my good friend from American Samoa, pretty well answers that. What it will say is when the President is ready to make his proclamation prior to doing that, he has 30 days in which to talk to the governor of that State. So I think in a way this would pretty well resolve it without these things occurring that have occurred where the governor of the State is stonewalled in a hotel in Washington, DC, trying desperately to get in to the President of the United States, trying to find out what is going on. I was stonewalled as chairman of the committee, both Senators were stonewalled. But I do have to agree that at 2 in the morning our governor did get a call and then it was done at 10, no time to even react. So I think the gentleman is on the right track, the gentleman from American Samoa, the gentleman from California. I support them, but I do not think they have gone quite far enough. With what they have said here, I can see where in their hearts they would see that maybe the Hansen amendment coming up would more than solve this. I would appreciate their support in this.”